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SoCal gets nearly $53m in Homeland Security funds

by AP

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The Los Angeles area will receive nearly $53 million in federal Homeland Security funds to help the region deal with terrorism and natural disasters.

A grant announced Monday is for this fiscal year and will provide funding for various projects in the Los Angeles and Long Beach areas.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca says it will pay for a communications system connecting 43 police departments, 30 fire departments and hospitals and agencies that might have to work together in a catastrophe.

The grant also will pay for SWAT team gear, salaries for fire personnel, and special training.

The L.A. area has received more than $400 million in Urban Area Security Initiative grants since 2003.